Mental health is one of the most challenging issues for the UK and the Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant negative impact. 2.1 million adults and 0.6 million children accessed mental health, learning disability and autism services in 2018/2019.  

According to the Office of National Statistics, in June 2020 one in five adults (19.2%) were suffering from depression, a figure which has almost doubled from around one in ten (9.7%) before the pandemic.  

The latest figures from the Health and Safety Executive show that work-related stress is increasing, with 15.4 million working days lost in the last year and 57% of all working days lost due to ill health being a result of work-related stress. It is estimated that the cost to the economy of mental health issues is £105 billion in England per year. In November 2020, after an increased demand for help during the pandemic, the chancellor announced a £500m package to support mental health services in England. 

This event will give a wide-ranging view of the state of mental health in the UK in the Covid-19 era. It will provide vital updates on the latest policy and research and how multiple agencies across health, education, local Government, and the public sector workforce are collaborating to drive improvements and achieve success.